YOU are the tabernacle

Take care of your body.

Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don’t know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it “really” means.. Let’s see where this takes us!

I’m reading Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Numbers 4

Verses 1–20: Delivery drivers can’t open up the packages they deliver. They won’t necessarily die if they do, but they’d get into trouble. The Kohathites are warned that they will die if they look upon the sacred objects of the tabernacle (YLT;; aka “tent of meeting” in the NRSV) that they will transport; Aaron and his sons are to carefully wrap them up so they won’t be seen.

I conclude that the objects have mysterious powers which the LORD immunized Aaron and his sons from, but others must be warned against.. OR, the LORD’s wrath will fall upon any Kohathite who dares to look, for the very crime of disobedience.

Or, the warning (or threat) of death was a bluff.

But then I read on.

Verses 21–33: The Gershonites are to carry the coverings, curtains, and hangings of the tabernacle. The Merarites are to transport the bars, pegs, and…